Jobs/Appointments
Dangote to Employ Additional 17,000 for Refinery Project
By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Additional 17,000 personnel would be employed in the coming months by Dangote Industries Limited for the refinery project in Lagos, the President/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the firm, Mr Aliko Dangote, has disclosed.
At the moment, the human capacity at the Dangote Petroleum Refinery project site stands at 40,000 but the owner of the project, who is Africa’s richest man, wants to increase it to 57,000.
A total of 29,000 Nigerians and 11,000 foreigners are working on the soon-to-be-completed oil facility, which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day. It is the world’s largest single refinery project.
This is a ratio of around three Nigerians to one expatriate presently, which will increase local talent with the new additions.
“When we started the project, we were supposed to bring a lot of foreign workers, but as we speak today, we have less than 11,000 expatriates.
“We have almost about 29,000 Nigerian workers that are getting massive training. We are also creating a lot of capacity in the country, which will be of great help for future oil projects in Nigeria, most especially with the opening up of the oil industry through the new Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), Mr Dangote informed Arise TV.
“It means that the country can boast of human capacity needed in the oil and gas sector. Most of these Nigerians can compete anywhere in the world in terms of electrical, welding, mechanical erection etc. We have actually created massive capacity,” he added.
The business mogul said construction of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery was informed by his desire to help the federal government tackle the lingering issue of petroleum products importation.
“It makes me feel terrible to see a country as big and resourceful as Nigeria with a high population, importing all its petroleum products. It is very painful.
“So, we decided it is time to tackle this challenge. We tried before in 2007, but we were not able to make it happen. So, we jettisoned the idea,” Mr Dangote explained.
He added, “What actually inspired me is when you look at what happened in a country like India where entrepreneurs went ahead and created about five million barrels-per-day oil refinery.
“This country does not have as much oil as Nigeria. Nigeria is here sitting on over 2.4 million barrels per day at a point and we do not refine the oil we produce. Here, we have a country of over 200 million people and we are importing 100 per cent of what we consume.
“It is not sustainable. If you go to some places in Nigeria, you will discover that there are petrol stations that are not working.
“This actually pushed me into saying that this is a big challenge, which needed to be addressed urgently. Because I’m a Nigerian and if there are issues to be sorted out, I should be one of those who will bring solutions to our national problems.”
Mr Dangote described the refinery project as an investment that would transform the economies of countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
“This refinery is going to help transform, not only the oil sector, it is going to assist to transform the entire economy of Nigeria and all the countries in sub-Saharan Africa. It is unfortunate that all sub-Saharan African countries are importing petroleum products, and this is not what it is supposed to be.
“It is not the government’s responsibility alone to address the challenge of petroleum products importation in Nigeria. No, we have to collaborate with the government to tackle these issues of petroleum importation. It will put millions of people directly and indirectly at work.
“The refinery is going to massively transform the economy. By this transformation, the government will have more money to take care of infrastructure, health, education. So, it is a massive transformational project,” he added.
Mr Dangote emphasized the need for the country to shift attention from crude oil export and diversify the economy.
“We should not as a country be comfortable with generating revenue from crude oil export alone because tomorrow, people may not need crude oil. If we don’t move from crude oil to something else, we will have issues as a country. This is one of the things that I took upon myself to help address in this country,” he said.
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The board of Fortis Global Insurance Plc has been strengthened with two new additions, with Mr Umar Faruk Umar appointed as an independent non-executive director and Mr Ufuoma Ibru as a non-executive director.
A statement signed by the company secretary, Ms Halima Jimada, disclosed that the appointments followed the approval of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), an agency that regulates the insurance sector in Nigeria.
The board expressed optimism that the new directors will bring their wealth of experience to bear in driving the growth and expansion of the business, and that the company will be further strengthened by their valuable contributions.
Mr Umar is an accomplished educationist, public servant and corporate director with over 40 years of professional experience, including over 30 years of board and corporate governance experience.
He holds a PhD in Educational Psychology from the University of Wisconsin, USA. He has also undertaken executive education and corporate governance programmes at Harvard University, Stanford University and INSEAD.
He has held senior positions in the public and private sectors and previously served on the boards of Ashaka Cement Plc, CCNN Plc and NAHCO Plc, where he chaired and served on various board committees, including Audit, Risk Management, Governance, Finance and Establishment.
He currently serves on the Boards of GTL Registrars Limited and the Nigerian Capital Market Development Fund. His extensive experience in corporate governance, risk management, finance and strategic oversight will bring significant value to the Board in his capacity as an independent non-executive director.
On his part, Mr Ibru is a legal practitioner and an experienced non-executive director with extensive professional and board experience in the hospitality, tourism and financial services sectors. He has served on the boards of Ikeja Hotel Plc, The Tourist Company of Nigeria Plc and Icon Stockbrokers Limited.
He holds a Bachelor of Law from the University of Oxford, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2003. He also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Mechatronic Engineering from the University of London.
Mr Ibru has significant experience in corporate governance, strategic management, legal and regulatory matters, investment transactions and stakeholder engagement.
He brings to the board a strong combination of legal, commercial and corporate governance expertise, which will support the effective discharge of his responsibilities as a non-executive director.
By Adedapo Adesanya
Heirs Life Assurance, a specialist life insurance company owned by Nigerian business mogul, Mr Tony Elumelu, has appointed Pastor Jerry Eze as an Independent Non-Executive Director on its Board, effective August 10, 2026.
The appointment reinforces Heirs Life Assurance’s commitment to expanding financial inclusion and accelerating insurance adoption by strengthening public trust, consumer education, and long-term financial resilience across Nigeria.
Nigeria, despite being Africa’s largest economy, continues to record insurance penetration of less than one per cent, ranking among the lowest globally and underscoring the need to deepen financial protection and strengthen public confidence in insurance. As Heirs Life advances its goal of making insurance more accessible to Nigerians, the appointment of the preacher is expected to bring valuable insight in community engagement, values-driven leadership and initiatives with wider social impact.
Pastor Jerry Eze is the Founder and Lead Pastor of Streams of Joy International Ministry, a growing multinational ministry with 34 branches across West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe and North America. He is also the convener of the New Season Prophetic Prayers and Declaration (NSPPD), one of the world’s largest digital prayer platforms, reaching millions of people daily. Through his ministry and humanitarian initiatives, he is regarded as one of Africa’s most influential voices, championing hope, compassion, and community transformation.
Beyond ministry, the clergyman is the Founder of the Jerry Eze Foundation, a faith-led philanthropy where he provides housing support and grants to vulnerable and underserved communities.
In 2026, he announced N1 billion in grants to support young entrepreneurs across agriculture, technology, and manufacturing, further advancing enterprise development and economic opportunity.
Before entering full-time ministry, Pastor Jerry Eze built a career in development communications, serving as a Communications Specialist on a World Bank HIV/AIDS programme and with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA). He holds a Bachelor’s degree in History and International Relations from Abia State University and a postgraduate degree in Business Administration from Enugu State University of Science and Technology.
Speaking about the appointment, Mr Elumelu, Chairman, Heirs Life Assurance, said, “Pastor Jerry brings an exceptional combination of integrity, influence, and a deep understanding of people and communities. As we continue our mission to democratise access to insurance, his insight will help strengthen consumer trust, deepen financial inclusion, and reinforce our commitment to protecting the financial future of millions of Nigerians. We are delighted to welcome him to the Board of Heirs Life Assurance and the broader family of Heirs Insurance Group.”
Commenting on his appointment, Pastor Jerry Eze said, “I am honoured to join the Board of Heirs Life Assurance at a defining moment for the insurance industry. Financial security empowers individuals, families, and businesses to pursue their aspirations with greater confidence and resilience. I look forward to working with the Board and Management to advance the company’s mission of making insurance more accessible, relevant, and impactful for every Nigerian.”
By Aduragbemi Omiyale
The conclusion of the 2025 Performance Appraisal Exercise of Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has resulted in the promotion and step increments of about 1,126 employees of the organisation.
The reward for performance involved the promotion of 547 employees and 579 step increments, reaffirming the company’s unwavering commitment to recognising excellence, rewarding performance and building one of Africa’s most admired workplaces.
AEDC disclosed that these actions reflect its deliberate investment in its people as the energy firm accelerates its transformation into a customer-centric, high-performing electricity distribution company with global standards and Pan-African aspirations.
The promotions and step increments, approved by the management, recognise employees who have demonstrated exceptional commitment, professionalism and outstanding performance in advancing AEDC’s strategic objectives.
However, employees who were not successful in the current appraisal cycle have been urged to remain committed, emphasising that the performance management process is designed to support continuous growth, capability development and future advancement opportunities.
“Our people remain our greatest asset and the foundation upon which AEDC’s future will be built. Today’s announcement is more than a reward for performance; it is a reaffirmation of our belief that excellence should always be recognised, talent should be nurtured and hard work should create opportunities for growth.
“As we continue our transformation journey, we are building an organisation where our employees can develop rewarding careers, realise their full potential and proudly contribute to creating one of Africa’s leading electricity distribution companies,” the chief executive of AEDC, Mr Chijioke Okwuokenye, stated.
He added that AEDC is intentionally creating a workplace where merit, continuous learning, innovation and collaboration drive career progression, while employee wellbeing remains central to its long-term strategy.
